George Nicholas
| Colonel | |
| George Nicholas | |
| First Professor of Law at Transylvania University | |
| In office | |
| 1799 | |
| Member of the Kentucky Constitutional Convention | |
| In office | |
| 1792 | |
| United States Attorney for the District of Kentucky | |
| In office | |
| 1789 | |
| Member of the Virginia Ratification Convention | |
| In office | |
| 1788 | |
| Delegate to the Virginia House of Delegates | |
| In office | |
| 1781, 1783, 1786-1788 | |
| Lieutenant Colonel in the Continental Army | |
| In office | |
| 1777 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c.1754 |
| Williamsburg, Virginia | |
| Died | 25 July, 1799 |
| Lexington, Kentucky | |
| Resting place | Old Episcopal Burial Ground, Third Street, Lexington, Kentucky |
| Residence(s) | Lexington, Kentucky Danville, Kentucky |
| Education | The College of William & Mary |
| Profession | Lawyer, soldier, politician, professor |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Smith |
| Relatives | Wilson Carey Nicholas (brother) |
George Nicholas (c.1754 – 1799) was born in Williamsburg, Virginia to Robert Carter Nicholas and Anne Cary.[1] Several sources state that Nicholas studied law under George Wythe. It is more likely, however, that he read law under the supervision of his father — an influential colonial lawyer and politician. Nicholas received his law license more than a year before Wythe began lecturing, but may have done some additional reading under Wythe.[2]
After completing his legal studies, Nicholas "enlisted in the patriot cause" upon the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.[3] He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army, but was not involved in any "significant engagements" and spent most of his time in Baltimore. [4] While in Baltimore, Nicholas courted and married Mary Smith in 1778. In the early 1780s, the couple and their growing family moved to Charlottesville, Virginia so Nicholas could pursue a more favorable legal practice. Nicholas and his wife eventually had thirteen children.[5]
In 1781, Nicholas was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates for Hanover County. In 1783, and then from 1786 to 1788, Nicholas instead represented Albemarle County in the Virginia House.[6] While serving Albermarle County, Nicholas became fast friends with James Madison.[7] Nicholas was recognizable for his "large, bald head and his great bulk," and apparently Madison "laughed till he cried when someone described Nicholas as a plum pudding with legs to it."[8] Despite his resemblance to holiday desserts, Nicholas was well respected for his sharp mind and political intelligence. In 1788, he successfully advocated the ratification of the federal Constitution as a member of the Virginia Ratification Convention.[9]
Soon afterwards, Nicholas and his family moved to Lexington, Kentucky. Although Nicholas and his family had a home built there, Nicholas' "true home" was his large plantation just outside of Danville, Kentucky. [10] In 1789, President Washington appointed Nicholas as the first United States Attorney for the District of Kentucky.[11] However, Nicholas was a controversial figure and soon stepped down from the role as he could not "accomodate himself fully to the democratic government."[12]
Nicholas was a staunch Federalist, and he successfully advocated for centralizing political authority at the 1792 Kentucky Constitutional Convention. He also strongly supported slavery and the existing system of hierarchical social order. [13] Nicholas served as the chief draftsman of the Kentucky Constitution, and is known as the "Father of the Kentucky Constitution." [14] While in Kentucky, Nicholas continually sought governmental power to defeat the American Indians who "threatened the state."[15]
In 1799, Nicholas was appointed the first professor of law at Transylvania University. However, he died suddenly on July 25, 1799, shortly after the appointment.[16] Nicholas is buried in the Old Episcopal Burial Ground on Lexington's Third Street. After his death, the city of Nicholasville and Nicholas County were named in his honor.[17]
See also
References
- ↑ American National Biography Online, s.v. "Nicholas, George," by Andrew Cayton, accessed October 26, 2015.
- ↑ Thomas Hunter, "The Teaching of George Wythe," in The History of Legal Education in the United States: Commentaries and Primary Sources, edited by Steve Sheppard, (Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 1999) 1:153, citing Victor Dennis Golladay, "The Nicholas Family of Virginia: 1722-1820" (Ph.D. dissertation, University of Virginia, 1973), 220.
- ↑ Cayton, "Nicholas, George."
- ↑ Library of Virginia "George Nicholas (ca. 1754-1799)," accessed November 9, 2015.
- ↑ Cayton, "Nicholas, George."
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ "George Nicholas (ca. 1754-1799)."
- ↑ Cayton, "Nicholas, George."
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ "The Father of the Kentucky Constitution is buried in Lexington," Kaintuckeean, accessed November 2, 2015.
- ↑ Cayton, "Nicholas, George."
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ "The Father of the Kentucky Constitution is buried in Lexington."
- ↑ Cayton, "Nicholas, George."
- ↑ "George Nicholas (ca. 1754-1799)."
- ↑ "The Father of the Kentucky Constitution is buried in Lexington."
